Bulldogs Back on Track; Slay Crusaders

Photo Courtesy of Lyric Allen

By Elisha Meyer

The Lady Bulldogs came close to another 100-point performance as the team went back to its winning ways in day two of the Southeastern University Christmas Invitational, demolishing the William Carey University Crusaders 97-55.

Concordia took the court just one day after suffering their first loss of the season. The host team, the Southeastern University Fire, extinguished any hopes of a perfect season with a devastating 97-72 victory over the top-ranked Bulldogs. The 97 points were the most given up by Concordia all season, while the Bulldog offense was held to under 70 points for the first time since the Bulldogs and Fire last faced off in October. 

With a chance at redemption, the Bulldogs jumped out in front early for a 33-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Both sides of the ball were in excellent shape once again, the defense allowing only two made field goals in the period and the offense scoring more points than in Friday’s entire first half. 

The majority of Concordia’s first quarter points came as a result of the three-ball, with the team making seven of their eleven first quarter field goals from beyond the three-point arc. 

While the attack slowed down in the second period, the Bulldogs continued to shoot well from the field with a first half shooting percentage of 44.7% compared to Friday’s first half shooting percentage of 28.6%. 

Concordia’s attack would not relinquish in the second half, with individuals for the Bulldogs posting big numbers. Out in front for the Bulldogs’ scoring effort was Taylor Farrell with 18 points, with two-thirds of them coming from the three-ball. Philomena Lammers earned herself another great performance, scoring twelve points and equaling that figure in rebounds for another double-double.

William Carey did its best to keep the Crusaders in the contest. Rebekah Engle posted 18 points and five rebounds, but ended up fouling out in the second half. The only other Crusader to score in double figures was Mallory Thomson with eleven points. 

Despite the efforts of the Crusaders, the Bulldogs’ defense also found their groove on Saturday. While Concordia lost the rebound battle 58-55, the Bulldogs forced 24 Crusader turnovers, 15 of which were counted as steals. Concordia also recorded the only five blocks of the contest, three of those blocks belonging to Elsie Aslesen. 

The Bulldogs will take a 12-1 record into their Christmas break, but be back in action January 2 to continue conference play at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.